Absolute Beds is the home of the Memory Foam Mattress, a relatively new type of polyurethane foam known as visco elastic. Have you heard of Tempur, This is an innovative new technology using unique high density, temperature and pressure sensitive material. Memory foam reacts to body heat and weight and moulds to the exact contours of your body offering the ultimate in support and comfort.

Memory Foam was initially designed and utilised by NASA in the early 1970?s to absorb the incredible G-forces astronauts encounter. It was believed that one of the vital means to reducing G-forces on the body of astronauts was to use foam material that could conform to each person?s shape. The beauty of visco elastic foam is that it can indeed conform to and embrace the contours of a person?s body; however, it also adapts to any movements of the body, and then can rebound quickly to return to its normal shape once pressure is removed.

With a unique feel, memory foam is soft and pliable ? it follows the outline of your body perfectly, constantly adjusting in response to your body temperature and weight. The mattress provides the best possible support to your spine, keeping it aligned and allowing your body to immediately find the best sleeping position, thereby reducing tossing and turning and pressure points.

The benefits of memory foam mattresses are multiple. Its conforming nature results in a cradling effect which reduces pressure points thereby minimising sleep discomfort. If you have achy joints you will find that visco elastic pressure sensitive foam will offer you the best chance for reducing the overall pressure placed on your joints by contouring them without pushing back against them. This helps you to relax and aids relief from the strains and tension of everyday life. It will also enable you to get comfortable quickly in bed and minimise tossing and turning - ultimately resulting in a less interrupted sleep pattern. Memory foam mattresses help blood flow and circulate freely, preventing the nerves and muscles from numbing and bed sores developing. As an added benefit the structure of the visco elastic memory foam makes it impossible for dust mites to penetrate the mattress. It is allergy free and hypo-allergenic thereby creating a cleaner and healthier sleeping environment. Most memory foam mattresses also come with a soft, removable and machine washable cover. Many of these covers are made from hypo-allergenic material and are specially treated to eliminate bacteria thus further relieving allergies to allow for easier breathing during sleep. Another rather obvious benefit of memory foam is that it is silent - no springs mean no squeaky noises waking you up as your partner turns over.

For material to be visco elastic memory foam it has to be temperature sensitive, respond to your body?s individual shape and have the ability to return to its normal form. Try pressing down on any memory foam mattress we have in our showroom with your hand ? notice the imprint that is left, this shows how the product cradles you in comfort and doesn?t push back against your body. Memory foam is graded by its visco elastic nature by reference to its depth and density (weight in kg/m3). The weight of the foam is determined by the amount of chemicals used in its composition ? the higher the density/weight, the more visco elastic it will become. Memory Foam mattresses are also available in different tensions (from soft to firm) and some mattresses are made of a combination of layers of different calibre memory foam.

Memory foam mattresses tend to have a peculiar new foam type of smell that can stay for a few days to a couple of weeks depending on the foam manufacturer. While the smell is not harmful and does not tend to trigger allergies, it can be a bother initially for particularly sensitive people. We suggest that if the smell is unsettling, you should air out the room and wash the sheets after the first couple of nights sleeping on the mattress.

Many people like to know what the preferred mattress type is at the moment ? the spring mattress v. memory foam debate. While spring mattresses were the standard for many years, memory foam mattresses are becoming more and more popular due to their numerous benefits and unsurpassed comfort and support. Spring mattresses can feel comfortable to sit or lay on, however, they will not offer anywhere near the body contouring or spine support that memory foam mattresses provide. While springs bend inward under the weight of your body, pressing up against the natural curves of your shape, memory foam conforms to the contours, creating a customised cradle of comfort. While foam can shrink over time, springs can bend and lose their shape over time ? an old foam mattress will likely feel better and offer more support than on old spring mattress.

It is important that you choose a comfortable mattress that offers the right amount of support for you. When deciding on a new mattress, your aim should be to achieve perfect posture in bed. Memory Foam mattresses make accomplishing this an achievable goal. However, if the mattress is too soft or too hard you may experience discomfort. Memory foam mattresses are available in different tensions. Ideally the mattress should mould to your own personal shape while providing the perfect support. It should keep the spine aligned and follow the contours of your body. You (and your partner) will need to make your own assessment as to how comfortable a mattress is guided by the advice of Absolute Beds specialist consultants and factors such as your size, weight, preferred sleeping position and needs. In the end, comfort is extremely subjective, so take the time to find a mattress and tension that suits your needs and gives you the support you are after.

Health is our most vulnerable asset and a pressure relieving memory foam mattress will help you not only keep it but improve your overall feeling of wellbeing. When considering a memory foam mattress purchase it is important to remember the following:

Conditions helped by Memory Foam

Joint point

Headache / Stiff neck

Fibrositis

Back or hip pain

Sciatica

Aching Knees

Bed sores

Circulatory problems

Benefits of Memory Foam

Keeps the spine aligned

Reacts to body heat, weight & shape

Ultimate in comfort and support

Pressure relieving

No need to flip

Innovative & built on NASA technology

Dust mite resistant & Hypo-allergenic

Offers a more restful night?s sleepbecause one partners movements will disturb the other person

As guidance, Absolute Beds recommend that a Memory Foam Mattress should have a top layer of at least 5cm, and a minimum density of 55Kg/m3.